Achieving Environmental Sustainability as a Prerequisite for Women Empowerment
According to the 2019 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, the past two decades have been the warmest in mankind’s history. The rise in global temperatures can be attributed to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to unprecedented industrialization. The dire effects of climate change are already visible such as typhoons, hurricanes, floods and even drought causing starvation in various parts of the world. This article briefly explores how achieving environmental sustainability is a precursor for women empowerment.
Background
The celebration of this year’s International women’s day is guided by the theme: Achieving Gender Equality and Empowerment of all Women and Girls in the Context of Climate Change, Environmental and Disaster Risk Reduction Policies and Programs. This theme is in tandem with a number of goals of 17 sustainable development goals [SDGs].
“To deny people their human right, is to challenge their very humanity.” —Nelson Mandela
Gender equality is a fundamental human right entrenched in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948. As such its a powerful driver for growth and social justice as well as a requirement for achieving sustainable development. Within the arena of climate change, it is fundamental in effective mitigation of climate change. Therefore, today is not an ordinary day like it might seem to many, today is a day to recognize the integral role of women in climate change mitigation and sustainable development.
Global Take on Sustainability and Women Empowerment
According to a report by UN’s Economic and Social Council, gender inequality coupled with climate and environmental crises is the greatest challenge to sustainable development in present times.
Climate change, disasters and environmental crises affect the planet and its people although not in the same way or degree, while gender inequality results in denial of human rights to half of humanity [women].
Climate change disproportionately affect women and girls particularly those from marginalized and vulnerable areas.
Detrimental effects of climate change are felt either in short-term hazards like landslides, hurricanes and floods; or in long-term through more gradual degradation that threatens food security, extinction of animals and certain indigenous plants, among others.
Women and girls are more vulnerable to effects of climate change in many aspects than men. This is because they are primarily poor and dependent on natural resources for their livelihoods.
Additionally, women and girls are charged with the responsibility to secure water, food and fuel for cooking and heating in the society. All these shows how women are the greatest victims of climate change, environmental crises and disasters that arise from the two.
Women Empowerment and Sustainability in Kenya.
In the Kenyan context, climate change presents massive threat to Kenya’s sustainable development and realization of the nation’s vision 2030 that seeks to create a competitive and prosperous nation with high quality of life.
Consequently, in Kenya, patriarchal norms that assign gender roles, place the responsibility of household reproduction in women and girls. As the primary caregivers they are charged with fetching water, food and fuel for cooking and heating while also being responsible for taking care of household members including the elderly, disabled and children.
In addition to reproduction activities, women are also actively involved in livelihood production, mostly undertaking the bulk of agricultural work. However, they only earn a fraction of the income generated from such activities and own a nominal percentage of assets. Therefore, climate change and environmental crises further exacerbates the inequality faced by women and girls in Kenya.
Noteworthy is the fact that the Government of Kenya has developed a number of policies to ensure the gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. Among them the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and subsequent establishment of National Gender and Equality Commission.
In the context of climate change and gender, the Kenyan government has come up with a number of policies, many which are yet to be implemented. Thus, making implementation of existing policies and laws as one of the greatest impediment of gender equality in the context of climate change.
Final Thoughts
As mentioned, Climate change and gender inequality are one of the greatest challenge to sustainable development and growth. Therefore governments need to commit to reduce the carbon footprints in order to reduce GHG emission to the atmosphere. There is also need for implementation of policies and laws affording women equal opportunities in different sectors of the society: More so Economic & political spheres.
